Lesser Frigatebird

Like Great Frigates, juveniles have a white or pale buff head. They are often seen alongside the larger species, although many more Great than Lesser Frigates occur around the granite islands of Seychelles. In Seychelles, Lesser Frigate only nest around Aldabra Atoll, where they may build their nests alongside Great Frigates. However, Lesser Frigates use a wider range of trees and shrubs for nesting than do Great Frigates, and choose slightly different nest locations within each tree.

The Lesser Frigate is capable of long flights, one bird ringed from Aldabra flew as far as Bombay in India, a distance of 4,400 km.

Facts:

Scientific name:Fregata arielCreole name: Pti FregatWingspan: 175 – 195 cm Population in the Seychelles: In Seychelles, only breeds on Aldabra, where at least 6,000 breeding pairs occurWorld distribution: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific OceansDistribution in Seychelles: Occurs throughout SeychellesNest: In shrubs and trees. One egg laidDiet: Squid, flying fish, fish stolen from other seabirds, baby turtlesIdentification: A large seabird with narrow white markings on the underwing